Vietnamese Capital Gets Tough on Polluters

Text of report in English by Vietnamese news agency VNA website

Hanoi (VNA): All heavy polluters are required to move from Hanoi ‘s centre to the outskirts by 2010, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Those polluters are mostly alcohol producers, garment and textiles makers and establishments using harmful chemicals.

The Hanoi People’s Committee assigned the Natural Resources and Environment Department to build a master plan to completely solve the problem by 2015.

According to the department’s statistics, among 16 establishments listed as heavy polluters which needed to be treated over the past five years, eight have been fully treated, while the remainders are actively carrying out the treatment.

The city’s relevant agencies have completed the list of polluters and their levels of harmful effect, as well as establishments not in line with the city’s plan in order to work out solutions.

In an effort to solve the city’s pollution, the Natural Resources and Environment Department on July 1 set up a sub-department for environmental protection to carry out local research and forecast of environmental risks.

According to data, dust content in Hanoi ‘s air is 2-3 times bigger than the acceptable level, with that in main streets is 5-7 times bigger and at construction projects, 20-30 times.

The Health Ministry also said that 43 per cent of the country’s population contract chronic respiratory diseases and dust was considered as one of main reasons of the diseases.

Originally published by VNA news agency website, Hanoi, in English 16 Jul 08.

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